Best Of
Re: Handling increased volume and managing workflow more efficiently?
Hi Katie,
At the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust we use the Letter of Intent to identify which projects we want to invite for application. To answer your questions:
- Have any foundations moved away from an open LOI process and shifted to working primarily with returning applicants?
- We have not shifted to working primarily returning applicants. For our 2026 to counteract the disruptions from funding shifts we have decided to continue funding our existing relationships with an additional payment. We continue to use the LOI to decide the best projects to invite to apply.
- Has anyone limited LOI submissions in a way that helps ensure organizations are a better fit before applying?
- This is exactly how we use the Letter of Intent form. We also provide feedback on the submission and use the Letter of Intent to strengthen the information prior to submission. It also allows for increased clarity on the design of the request.
- How do you communicate funding priorities and eligibility in a way that reduces misaligned applications without discouraging strong ones?
- We use the eligibility quiz to reinforce our requirements and to prevent ineligible organizations from submitting our LOI.
Introduction!
Hey everyone! My name is Abram, and I am one of the new Client Support Interns here at Foundant Technologies. I became interested in working for Foundant through my background in the nonprofit sector and philanthropy.
I am currently enrolled in the University of Montana’s MBA program and previously worked with the Oregon Community Foundation and the Trust for Public Land. I currently live in Bozeman, Montana, and enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. I look forward to working with you all!
Back to Foundant! New Project Manager
Hi, everyone! My name is Jenn Bates, and I am a new Project Manager on the CSuite Delivery team. This is my return to Foundant as I was an Implementation Consultant on the GLM/SLM team and a team lead 2 years ago. I'm VERY excited to be back and first discovered Foundant (and its awesome team) as a client, first in SLM as a scholarship administrator and then in GLM working for a family foundation.
I am an Army brat so from a little bit of everywhere and have been in the Chicago area the last 13+ years. I have 2 awesome kids (9 and 11 years old), recently married my fabulous partner, and I love puzzles, videogames, ALL food and finding all the little glimmers and glitters of joy (everything from the obscure to a funny GIF).
Re: Do other organizations have professional liability coverage?
Hi Meghan,
Great question! This is something we’ve seen come up from time to time, especially as organizations expand their advisory role with donor-advised funds.
While we’re not able to provide guidance on specific insurance decisions, we can share a bit of context from what we’ve observed across foundations:
- Many organizations evaluate professional liability (errors & omissions) coverage when their role includes advisory or recommendation-based interactions with fundholders
- The level of coverage (or whether it’s pursued at all) often depends on how formalized that advisory role is. For example, whether guidance is framed as educational vs. directive
- Some foundations also revisit their policies, disclaimers, and documentation practices alongside insurance considerations to help clarify the nature of their role
This is definitely an area where peer insight is especially valuable. I'm curious to hear how others in the community are approaching this and what factors influenced your decision.
Appreciate you raising this!
Best,
Mark Bejcek
Client Success Consultant
Foundant Technologies.
